Russian metallurgical company Metalloinvest Holding has announced that it has signed a contract with Switzerland-based plantmaker SMS Concast for the modernization of the four-strand continuous casting machine No. 1 at its integrated iron and steel plant Ural Steel.
Metalloinvest stated that, as part of its modernization, the four-strand continuous casting machine No. 1 will be adapted to produce 455 mm billets for railway wheels and square billets with section measurements of 300 x 330 mm for rail production. The production of new types of high-margin products will reinforce the position of the company in the high-quality steel grade market. The modernization of the casting machine will also improve the efficiency of the company’s production. Investment for the project will total more than RUB 1 billion ($16.22 million). Production is planned to start in mid-2017.